PRAYER in WP(MD).No.16170 of 2017: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of declaration, declaring the final key answer provided for the question paper in Chemistry CDE-2017 Booklet series 'C' pertaining to Question Nos.3, 37, 40, 54, 74 and 94 provided by the second respondent as incorrect and consequently to direct the second respondent to award marks for the above said questions and to declare the petitioner bearing Roll No.17PG09050355 to have passed in written examination and allow him to participate in the Certificate Verification within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
PRAYER in WP(MD).No. 16171 of 2017: Writ Petition is filed under
Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of declaration, declaring the final key answer provided for the question paper in Chemistry CDE-2017 Booklet series 'C' pertaining to Question Nos.70, 3, 37, 40, 94 and 54 provided by the second respondent as incorrect and consequently to direct the second respondent to award marks for the above said questions and to declare the petitioner bearing Roll No.17PG07050051 to have passed in written examination and allow him to participate in the Certificate Verification within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
!For Petitioners : Mr.Ajmal Khan, Senior Counsel for Mr.C.Venkatesh (in both writ petitions) For Respondents : Mr.VR.Shanmuganathan Special Government Pleader assisted by Mr.R.Karthikeyan Additional Government Pleader (in all Writ Petitions) :COMMON ORDER The common prayer in both Writ Petitions are for issuance of a Writ of Declaration, declaring the final key answers provided for the question paper in Chemistry CDE-2017, Booklet series 'C' pertaining to the Questions viz., 3, 37, 40, 54, 70, 74 and 94 in the respective Writ Petitions as incorrect and consequently to direct the second respondent to award marks for the challenged questions and to declare the petitioners to have passed in the written examination and allow them to participate in the Certificate Verification within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
2. Heard the learned counsels appearing for the petitioners and learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.
3. By consent of both parties, the writ petitions are disposed of finally.
4.Dr.A.Gubendran, Associate Professor, Saraswathi Narayanan College of Arts and Science, Perunkudi, Madurai, who appeared on behalf of the petitioners and Dr.S.Arul Antony and Dr. S.Chidambara Vinayagam, Associate Professors, Presidency College, Chennai, who appeared on behalf of the respondents rendered assistance to their respective learned counsels in resolving the issue raised in these writ petitions.
5.Upon discussion with the experts appeared on either side and considering the arguments of the learned counsels for both parties, the answers for the questions challenged in the respective Writ Petitions are given as below:-
Booklet series 'C' - Question No.3:-
6. Mr.Gubendran, explaining the framing of the question and also the mistake committed by the question setter stated that when TRB has given (D) as the correct answer, the same cannot be correct. Firstly, the answer given in (D) Angular momentum(Lz) cannot be matched with option (ii), therefore, option (iii) should be properly mentioned and option (ii) is unnecessarily worded.
6.1.Taking support from Table 4.1 at page 106 of the book namely, Atomic Structure and the Chemical Bond including Molecular Spectroscopy by Manas Chanda and page 313 of the book namely, Atkins' Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula namely, it is stated that Angular momentum has to necessarily match with option (ii). Similarly, the Momentum should also match with option (iii).
6.2. Although the learned Special Government Pleader submitted that question No.3 has been rightly framed, I am not inclined to accept the same. The reason is, I could see some substance in the explanation offered by Dr.Gubendran, who is supported with two Books mentioned above, therefore, I award one mark for this question.
Booklet Series 'C' - Question No.37 The mean life time of H-atom on the surface of a solid adsorbent at 298 K, if its desorption activation energy is 15 kJ Mol-1: [A0=10-13 seconds] xU jpl gug;Gfth; nghUspd; Gwg;gug;gpd; Nky;, 298 K -y; H-mZ gbAk; NghJ ruhrhp MAs;fhyk; kjpg;G vd;d? mjd; gug;G ePq;Fjy; fpsh;T nfhs; Mw;wypd;
kjpg;G 15 kJ mol-1 MFk;: [A0=10-13 tpdhbfs;] (A) T=(10-13 s) e-5.37 (B) T=(10-13 s) e-6.05 (C) T=(10-13 s) e6.05 (D) T=(10-13 s) e5.37
7. Dr.A.Gubendran submitted that in the Question No.37, A0 should be mentioned as T 0. But the two experts namely, Dr.S.Arul Antony and Dr. S.Chidambara Vinayagam, Associate Professors, are not agreeing with the explanation given by Dr.A.Gubendran. Going by the majority view of experts, I am of the view that the respondents have rightly framed this question. Hence, answer for the Question No.37, the option 'C' is correct.
Booklet Series 'C' - Question No.40:
8. Dr.A.Gubendran referring two books namely, Physical Chemistry Fourth Edition by Robert J.Silbey, Robert A.Alberty and Moungi G.Bawendi and Fundamentals of Molecular Spectroscopy by P.S.Sindhu, submitted that while mentioning linear Molecule, the respondents ought to have necessarily mentioned J 0,+2. While referring the book, Fundamentals Molecular Spectroscopy, he specifically mentioned that the question has been framed only from this book. He further submitted that a careful reading of page 121 of the said book clearly shows that Selection Rule for different Molecular symmetry indicates that a word 'pure' has to be mentioned. Without mentioning the word 'pure', the question would not be proper.
8.1. Replying to the above contention, the two experts namely, Dr.S.Arul Antony and Dr. S.Chidambara Vinayagam, Associate Professors, taking support from Atkins' Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins, Julio De Paula at Page No.459, submitted that the word 'pure' is unnecessary. The specific selection rule be J=+2. The contention of the experts and the reference made by them at page 459 of the revised book shows that the question is correctly framed by the TRB, hence, I hold that the answer for Question No.40 is the option 'C' given by the TRB cannot be found fault with.
Booklet series 'C' - Question No.54:-
Which of the following shows highest vibration in Raman Spectroscopy?
9. Mr.Gubendran, Associate Professor, suggested that reading of question No.54 does not properly convey whether it asks vibration frequency or vibration mode. Taking support from pages 112, 115 and 116 of the book namely, ''Fundamentals of Molecular Spectroscopy'' by Colin N.Banwell and Elaine M.Mccash, he stated that there are vibration frequency and vibration mode and without showing clear vibration mode or vibration frequency, the petitioners cannot answer the question.
9.1. Meeting that argument, Dr.S.Arul Antony and Dr. S.Chidambara Vinayagam, Associate Professors, replied that when the words 'highest vibration' in Raman Spectroscopy are worded, the highest vibration is only in frequency, therefore, the student cannot expect the addition of frequency or mode.
9.2. Drawing the notice of this Court to page 99 of the book namely, ''Fundamentals of Molecular Spectroscopy'' by Colin N.Banwell and Elaine M.Mccash, an illustration has been presented namely, 3.5 to say that the question should either have frequency or mode. Although I am inclined to accept the said contention, two of the experts namely, Dr.S.Arul Antony and Dr. S.Chidambara Vinayagam, Associate Professors, submitted that highest vibration itself clearly connotes frequency in Raman Spectroscopy, therefore, going by the majority view of the experts, I am of the view that the respondents have rightly framed this question in which the petitioners cannot have any grievance.
9.3. At this juncture, Mr.Ajmal Khan, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners submitted that question itself is not precise and clear. May be, the addition of the word 'mode' or 'frequency' after highest vibration would have conveyed clear meaning to the candidates to meet the said question with ease. However, I find the justification given by the respondents are acceptable, hence, there is no error in question No.54 Book Series 'C'- Question No.70.
Match the following:
Colour Sensitivity of air
(a) VCp2 - (i) pink - (I) inert
(b) CrCp2 - (ii) purple - (II) very high
(c) MnCp2 - (iii) Scarlet - (III) medium
(d) FeCp2 - (iv) orange - (IV) high bghUj;Jf:
fhw;Wld; tpid (a) VCp2 - (i) nsq; rptg;G - (I) ke;jj;jd;ik (b) CrCp2 - (i) fUePyk; - (II) kpf mjpfkhdJ (c) MnCp2 - (i) btsphpa rptg;G - (III) kpjkhdJ (d) FeCp2 - (i) Muq;R - (IV) mjpfkhdJ
10. Dr.Gubendran, Associate Professor, Saraswathi Narayanan College of Arts and Science, Perunkudi, Madurai, in order to assist this Court, stated that the answer given by the respondents, namely, word 'medium' cannot be correct and suitable, instead, it should be 'extremely air sensitive, which is not even given in one of the answers. He has also placed before me two text books, (i) Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Vth Edition, (ii) Concise Inorganic Chemistry IVth Edition by J.D.Lee.
10.1. Referring to Page 689 of the book namely, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Dr.Gubendran submitted that 'very air sensitive' is also given as correct answer.
10.2. Again referring to another book, namely, Concise Inorganic Chemistry IVth Edition by J.D.Lee in Page 711, he submitted that the said book also supports his recommendation namely, 'extremely air sensitive' is the correct answer.
10.3. Per contra, Dr.S.Arul Antony and Dr. S.Chidambara Vinayagam disputing the arguments of Dr.Gubendran submitted that the only authoritative book is Principles of Organometallic Chemistry 2nd Edition, wherein, correct answer mentioned at page 280 is, 'sensitive air medium' and this book is recommended and universally followed by all the P.G. Students. But it is not known why students neglected to follow the said book and on the other hand referred to the other books.
10.4. The learned Special Government Pleader also submitted that when all other students attended the correct answer 'A' to question No.70, following the book namely, 'Principles of Organometallics Chemistry', only the petitioners have come to this Court challenging the correctness of the question No.70.
10.5. Since the learned counsels for the petitioners submitted that none of the answers given is matching and in view of the serious dispute with regard to the correct answer and two books referred by Dr.Gubendran also indicate that 'extremely air sensitive' is also the correct answer, it is proper to award one mark to the petitioners. Agreeing with the same, I hereby award one mark to this question.
Booklet series 'C' - Question No.74
11. Challenging the framing of Question No.74, Dr.Gubendran stated that the answer (C) given by the TRB is not properly worded. 'en' means ethiline diamine, hence, the question itself is incorrect, therefore, it is impossible to find out the correct answer for the wrong question. He has also stated that there is no such formula in chemistry en for electron. However, replying to the same, both the experts namely, Dr.Chidambara Vinayagam and Dr.Arul Antony submitted that 2en means 2 electron or even en is electron. When it is basic and fundamental, any chemistry student can easily without any confusion understand the said question. Adding further, they stated that when (a) has been matched with option (ii) and (b) has been matched with option (i), it goes without saying that (c) has to match with option (iii). I find merit on the said submission. Therefore, I am of the view that TRB have correctly framed this question.
Booklet Series 'C' - Question No.94:
Find out the value of electronegativity of an element whose ionisation energy and electron affinity are 17.41 eV and 3.45 eV.
madpahf;Fk; Mw;wy; kw;Wk; vyf;l;uhd; ehl;lk; kjpg;Gfs; KiwNa 17.41 eV kw;Wk; 3.45 eV nfhz;Ls;s xU jdpkj;jpd; vyf;l;uhd; fth;jd;ikiaf; fhz;f.
(A) 3.98 (B) 4.07 (C)3.24 (D)3.74
12. In respect of question No.94, Dr.A.Gubendran, referred the book namely, ''Selected Topics in Inorganic Chemistry'' by Wahind U.Malik, G.D.Tuli and R.D.Madan, reprinted in the year 2001. He argued that Question No.94 in Booklet Series 'C' has not been framed properly. Further, it is stated that although (B) is the answer given by the respondents, 'C' and 'D' are also correct answers which show that the respondents have misled the candidates. Hence, mark should be given to all the candidates who have chosen the answers 'A', 'C', and 'D', he pleaded.
12.1.However, Mr.VR.Shanmuganathan, learned Special Government Pleader with the assistance of two experts namely, Dr.S.Arul Antony and Dr. S.Chidambara Vinayagam, Associate Professors, Presidency College, Chennai, submitted that as per the book namely, ''Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Volume 1'', Edition in the year 2015, by Sathaya Prakash, G.D.Tuli, S.K.Basu and R.D.Madan, which is the authorised book, Question No.94 has been properly framed and hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
12.2.Finally, it is argued on behalf of the petitioner that since there are misleading answers given in the above said two different books, one mark should be given to the petitioner. I agree with the said submission and I hereby award one mark to this question.
13. Before parting with this case, I hereby place on record my appreciation for the services rendered by the experts mentioned above. Accordingly, the respondents are directed to award each one mark to the following questions in Booklet Series 'C' namely, 3, 70 and 94, as per the conclusions reached herein above only in respect of the petitioners. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
To
1.The Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Department of Higher School Education, Fort St. George, Chennai-9.
2.The Chairman, Teachers Recruitment Board, EVK Sampath Maaligai, DPI Compound, College Road, Chennai-6. .